Mall readies for Christmas; CPA firm builds offices on Midland Drive

An early Christmas may be in store for the Certified Public Accountant agency BENNETT VINCENT & CO., which hopes to move into its new building at 1603 N. Midland Drive by Dec. 1.

Pat Vincent, a partner in the firm with Russell Bennett, said when it became apparent the company would have to relocate from its offices at 1031 Andrews Highway for more space, they couldn't find available lease space outside downtown. They decided downtown was not an option because their clients, especially their older clients, would have difficulty parking and getting around downtown. So, she said, they "bit the bullet" and built their own building.

Not only will the building house the CPA firm but it will house Bevco Tax Services, which will offer tax preparation services for both individuals and business customers, all prepared, Vincent said, by CPAs.

There also will be The Conference Room, which Vincent described as a state-of-the-art conference room that can hold up to 20 and available for lease. It is ideal, she said, for interviewing or training and will offer videoconferencing capacilities, an Internet connection and projector for presentations.

"You have the ability to videoconference, present PowerPoints or get on the Internet; just plug in your laptop," she said.

Both Bennett and Vincent have practiced in Midland since the 1980s but combined their practice five years ago.

The restaurant offers a lunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and dinner buffet from 5 to 9 p.m. daily. The restaurant will be closed for Thanksgiving.

Diners not wanting the buffet can order off menus. The menu includes traditional Chinese dishes as well as seafood specials.

Carry-out service is available.

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MIDLAND PARK MALL is preparing to unwrap the holiday shopping season.

After being closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, the mall will open at 5 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23, and again Saturday, Nov. 24, as the center's retailers offer early-bird specials.

Also Friday, Santa Claus himself will arrive at 10 a.m. and settle into his special area in the SEARS court to hear the Christmas wishes of local boys and girls. Children waiting in line to visit Santa will receive special coupons from Sears, coupons for a new Duracell pre-charged rechargeable battery, 20 percent off discount coupons and special bags from Gymboree, product samples and coupons from Purell and coupons from Exergen Temporal Scanner. Those unable to visit Santa in person can go online at www.simon.com and see a daily video message from Santa beginning Saturday, Dec. 1. Shoppers also can register to receive a special in-person visit from Santa on the morning of Dec. 22. Santa will be bringing a sack full of toys, a Panasonic HDTV and Home Theater System from Sears, Gymboree clothing, a Duracell pre-charged rechargeable battery gift pack and Simon Visa gift cards.

Simon gift cards can be purchased with the traditional design, the Pink Ribbon breast cancer awareness design or now with the University of Texas or Texas A&M University logos.

Christmas shoppers will enjoy extended hours, decorations and entertainment from local school and community groups throughout the season, which will end Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

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Mella McEwen is oil editor of the Reporter-Telegram. She can be reached by e-mail at casell@mrt.com.